Ecological Monitoring of Four Species of Vultures for Five Years in Arghakhanchi,

By

Krishna Prasad Bhusal

Hemanta Dhakal

Final Report Submitted to

The Peregrine Fund

World Center for Birds of Prey

5668 West Flying Hawk Lane

Boise, Idaho 83709, USA

2014 Ecological Monitoring of Four Species of Vultures for Five Years in Arghakhanchi, Nepal

Final Report Submitted to

The Peregrine Fund

World Center for Birds of Prey

5668 West Flying Hawk Lane

Boise, Idaho 83709, USA

2014

Krishna Prasad Bhusal Hemanta Dhakal Field Biologist Conservation Biologist Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) Corona of Agriculture Lazimpat, , Nepal Chitwan, Nepal Email:- [email protected] Email:[email protected] [email protected] Web:- www.birdlifenepal.org

© 2014 Authors Cover Photo:-White-rumped Vulture adult and chick in nest, Arghakhanchi/Krishna Bhusal

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Five years of ecological monitoring and comparative study of vultures in , Nepal between 2010 and 2014 was possible due to the joint effort of many people and organizations. We would like to acknowledge The Peregrine Fund (TPF), USA for funding and supporting this project. We would like to express our deep gratitude to Dr Munir Z. Virani for his guidance and cooperation to implement the project. We highly appreciate the support of Dr Richard Cuthbert(RSPB), Mr Anand Chaudhary(BCN) and Mr Tulsi Subedi(Raptor Biologist). Ishana Thapa and Khadananda Paudel from BCN deserve acknowledgments for their suggestion and co operation during the project work. Last but not the least we would like to thank local people, community forest user group, social activist, veterinary practitioners, media personnel and district government authorities of Arghakhanchi district for their kind support, feedback and provide local knowledge during our fieldwork.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT…………….………………………………………………………………………1 INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND...………………………………………………………...2 PROJECT AREA………………………………………………………………………………..3 OBJECTIVES…………………………………………………………………………………...4 METHODOLOGY………………………………………………………………………………5 RESULT...... …...6-11 ECOLOGICAL MONITORING OF VULTURES COLONY………………………………..6-8 Nest Number Trend of Vultures from 2010-2014 in Arghakhanchi…..……………….6 Breeding Status of White-rumped Vulture from 2010-2014…………………………..6 Breeding Status of Egyptian Vulture from 2010-2014………………………………...7 Breeding Status of Himalayan Griffon from 2010-2014……………………………….8 Breeding Status of Lammergeier from 2010-2014...... ….8 INTER SPECIES RELATIONSHIP OBSERVATION……………………………………….9 COMMUNITY AWARENESS and ADVOCACY…………………………………………..9-11 Diclofenac Free Zone Declaration……………………………………………………..9 District Level Stakeholder Meeting……………………………………………………10 Community Awareness………………………………………………………………..10 School Education Programme…………………………………………………………11 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS……………………………………………………………………...12 KEY RECOMMENDATION…………………………………………………………………12 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………13-14 ANNEX...…………………………………………………………………………………….15-18 PHOTO PLATE..…………………………………………………………………………….19-21

ABSTRACT

The ecological monitoring of Critically Endangered White-rumped Vulture, Endangered Egyptian Vulture, Near Threatened Himalayan Griffon and Lammergeier colony with enhancing the capacity of local communities on vulture conservation and spread the conservation messages have been done for last five years over the Arghakhanchi district. The nest number of White- rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Himalayan Griffon is increased by 38.46%, 133.33% and 39.28% from 2010 to 2014 in Arghakhanchi district respectively where as the nest number of Lammergeier is decreased by 50% from 2010 to 2014. The rate of breeding success (based on active nest) of White-rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Himalayan Griffon and Lammergeier is 53.84%, 50%, 65% and 100% respectively in 2010 and calculated 71.42%, 60%, 65.71% and 0% of respective species in 2014 breeding season in Arghakhanchi district. This was a pioneer study about three vulture species association in their nesting cliff Gherabhir, Arghakhanchi. As a result of advocacy, frequent monitoring of Agro vets and NSAIDs survey; Arghakhanchi district was declared as Diclofenac Free Zones by the local government, veterinary community, political parties, conservation organisations and community forest user groups which make up a part of 1,193 km2 Vulture Safe Zone in Nepal. The advocacy with stakeholder and community awareness trigger up the community initiative to save the critically endangered vulture species feeling ownership. Community forest user groups plan to include vulture conservation activities in their forest operation plan aiming to sustain conservation programme practically as well as legally. Massive sensitisation work was carried out in schools, communities, among veterinary groups and widely through mass media. Key activities of the project were done in coordination with government line agencies and local conservation groups which have helped widen the implication of the project. There is handover of knowledge and skills to the community so that they can continue carrying out activities like nest monitoring, monitoring of vulture population and NSAIDs survey.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

Vultures are medium to large sized scavenging birds, feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals and are found on every continent except Antarctica and Oceania (Del Hoyo et al 1994). Vultures are the primary consumers of carrion in Asia and Africa, with an individual Gyps vulture consuming around 1 kg of tissue every three days (Mundy et al. 1992). They do safely disposing off dead animals and help in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.

There are nine species of vultures recorded from Indian subcontinent of which five belongs to the genus Gyps (Prakash 1999). Four species of vultures in Asia are in grave danger of extinction across the Indian subcontinent. Population of oriental White-rumped vulture, long-billed vulture and Slender- billed vulture have declined by more than 97% in India (Prakash et al. 2003). Due to these declines, all three species were listed as critically endangered by IUCN 2000, which is highest category of endangerment. Further to this two more species Red-headed vulture and Egyptian vulture are listed as critically endangered and endangered respectively in 2007.

Vultures are highly susceptible to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatary Drug, diclofenac, they are exposed to the drug through the carcasses of treated livestock. Diclofenac kills gyps vultures (Oaks et al. 2004; Swan et al 2006) including Himalayan Griffon (Das et al. 2010) and possibly other species as they too have declined (Cuthbert et al. 2006; et al 2009).

In order to halt the decline of these critically endangered birds, Government of Nepal put ban on production, import and use of veterinary diclofenac and endorsed Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2009-13). The main objective of Vulture Conservation Action Plan was to prevent the extinction of vulture species by ensuring re-introduction, safe food supply, maintenance of suitable habitat and better understanding of the ecological importance of these birds in Nepal with a goal to revive viable population of vultures in the wild. Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre was established on 2008.

We have been monitoring the breeding status of four species of vulture; White-rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Himalayan Griffon and Lammergeier in the northern part of Arghakhanchi district, Nepal since 2009-10 breeding season. In this report, we estimate the nesting and breeding success trend with inter species relationship in their nesting site. PROJECT AREA

The project area Arghakhanchi district is not designated as protected area in country lies in the western mid hill region of Nepal. The district covers a total of 1,193 km² area with the elevation ranging 305-2515 masl. Geographically the district is situated between 27˚45' North to 28˚6 North latitude and 80˚45” East to 83˚23” East longitude. Its about 68% of the total area lies in the Mahabharat Range, and the remaining lies in the Siwalik Region, while 54.37% of its total area is covered by forest. The climatic condition of district is ranges from sub-tropical to temperate. Most of the nests of vultures are situated in the northern part of Arghakhanchi district.

Garta Khahare community forest, Khahare Khola community forest and Government forest of Garlam lies in the VDC supports the habitat of Critically Endangered White-rumped Vulture. There are three nesting colonies and all nests are in the trunk of Pine (Pinus roxburghii) tree. Geographically the whole block of White-rumped Vulture nesting site is situated between 28°00'49.1'' North to 28°01'25.5'' North latitude and 83°07'18.6'' East to 83°06'11.9'' East longitude and altitude ranges from 1061 m to 1382 m (Annex-7).

Gherabhir is rocky mountain elevated about 1,732 m to 2,200 m from sea level and lies in the junction of Hansapur and Khanadaha VDCs. South facing cliff of Gherabhir is habitat of three species of vulture namely Himalayan Griffon, Egyptian Vulture and Lammergeier. Geographically the cliff is situated between 28°03'35.6'' North to 28°03'50.9'' North latitude and 83°05'18.4'' East to 83°05'59.6'' East longitude (Annex-6).

Egyptian Vulture nesting is also distributed in other VDCs naming Dharapani, Dibharna, Kimdanda and Dhakabang. This district is good foraging place of Red-headed Vulture and frequently sighted there. Another critically endangered Slender-billed Vulture and winter migrant Cinerious Vulture also recorded in the district. Gherabhir is good place for cliff nesting other raptors and also recorded Globally Threatened Cheer Pheasant.

Fig:- 1. Map of Nepal showing the study area.

OBJECTIVES The main objective of the project was long term monitoring of vulture nests in partnership with communities, in the better and sustainable conservation critically endangered species and ecologically important habitat. The specific objectives of the project were:-  Comparative study of breeding status of four species of vultures in Arghakhanchi of last five breeding season.  Study the interspecific competition among three cliff breeding vultures in nesting habitat Gherabhir Arghakhanchi.  Community sensitization and advocacy for vulture conservation in that area. METHODOLOGY

Survey and Ecological Monitoring In order to study the breeding ecology, nests are counted, and the nest occupancy, breeding status and general behavior are recorded. Observations are made from the ground without disturbing the vultures. Monitoring of each nest was done to access the nest status and breeding success for the every breeding season of last five year. Following Postupalsky (1974), an active nest was defined as a nest in which eggs had been laid, whereas an occupied nest is one in which an egg need not have been laid, but a minimum of nest building must have taken place. A nest from which a chick fledged is termed as productive or successful. The geographic positions were recorded with the help of GPS from nearest accessible point. Breeding success of vulture was calculated by flowing formula:- No of productive nest Breeding Success = x 100 No of active nest

Interspecies Relationship Observation Interspecies competition between three cliff breeding vultures Himalayan Griffon, Egyptian Vulture and Lammergeier in nesting site Gherabhir was studied by direct observation method. For monitoring; nest and nesting pair of vulture of each species was selected and observed their activity as focal animal sampling with the help of binocular. We were observed vultures attack as any behavior consisting of an aerial chase (with or without physical contact) until the intruder was expelled from the vicinity of the nest. We took as a sampling unit each observation day. For each observation day and pair, we compute an attack rate defined as the number of attacks divided by the number of hours of observation.

Community Awareness and Advocacy campaign The community outreach and conservation education programs was launched for the local villagers, school children, members of Community Forest Users Groups (CFUG) and veterinary practitioners regarding the role of vultures in nature, cause of their decline and how to conserve them in different nesting places in different years. Regular survey of NSIDs and advocacy with stakeholder we were able to declare the district as Diclofenac Free Zone in cattle treatment.

RESULT Nest Status Five years continuous monitoring of four vulture species nests had been done since 2010 AD which provide trend of vulture nest status. In order to study breeding status nests were counted and the nest occupancy, breeding status and general behavior were recorded in each breeding season from 2010 to 2014 of four species of vulture in Arghakhanchi district (Annex 1). The nest number of White-rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Himalayan Griffon is increased by 38.46%, 133.33% and 39.28% from 2010 to 2014 in Arghakhanchi district respectively where as the nest number of Lammergeier is decreased by 50% from 2010 to 2014 in Gherabhir, Arghakhanchi. The number of White-rumped Vulture nest in 2012 decreased by 28.57% than in 2011. It is because of five chicks were catches from nest to bring Vulture Conservation and Breeding Center(VCBC), Kasara Chitwan for Ex-situ conservation.

45 40 35 30 WRV 25 EV 20 HG 15 L

10 Number of Nest of Number 5 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year

Fig:- Number of nests of different species of vultures in different year in Arghakhanchi, Nepal.

Breeding Status of White-rumped Vulture

The rate of breeding success of White-rumped Vulture is 53.84% in 2010 and it was calculated 71.42% in 2014 breeding season in Arghakhanchi district. This figure shows the trend of breeding success of White-rumped vulture in the three nesting colonies in Arghakhanchi district for the five respective years (Annex 2).

Breeding Success of WRV in different year 90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% based on active nest 30.00%

20.00% based on occupied nest Breeding success success Breeding 10.00% 0.00% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year

Fig:- Breeding Success trend of White-rumped Vulture in different year.

Breeding Status of Egyptian Vulture

This figure shows the trend of breeding success of Egyptian Vulture in the nesting cliff Gherabhir and surrounding area of Arghakhanchi for the five respective years (Annex 3).

Breeding success of EV in different year 120.00% 100.00% 80.00% 60.00% based on active nest 40.00% based on occupied nest 20.00%

0.00% Breeding success success Breeding 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year

Fig:-Breeding Success trend of Egyptian Vulture for five year in Arghakhanchi district. Breeding Status of Himalayan Griffon

This figure shows the trend of breeding success of Himalayan Griffon in the nesting cliff Gherabhir, Arghakhanchi for the five respective years (Annex 4).

Breeding Success of HG in different year 90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% based on active nest 30.00% based on occupied nest 20.00%

Breeding success success Breeding 10.00% 0.00% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year

Fig:-Breeding Success trend of Himalayan Griffon for five year in Arghakhanchi district.

Breeding Status trend of Lammergeier

This figure shows the trend of breeding success of Lammergeier in the nesting cliff Gherabhir, Arghakhanchi for the five respective years (Annex 5).

Breeding success of LM in different year

100.00%

80.00%

60.00% based on active nest

breeding success success breeding 40.00% based on occupied nest 20.00%

0.00% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 year

Fig:-Breeding Success trend of Lammergeier for five year in Arghakhanchi district. Interspecies Relationship Observation Gherabhir is a rocky cliff which is a breeding ground of Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier and Egyptian Vulture. Interspecies competition between three cliff breeding vultures Himalayan Griffon, Egyptian Vulture and Lammergeier in that nesting site was studied by direct observation method. For monitoring; nest and nesting pair of vulture of each species was selected and observed their activity as focal animal sampling with the help of binocular. We were observed vultures attack as any behavior consisting of an aerial chase. The cliff is mainly dominated by Himalayan Griffon in terms of nest number and ultimately by individuals. In total nests of vultures in cliff Himalayan griffon occupied 72.7%, Egyptian Vulture 14.7% and Lammergeier 12.6%. Himalayan Griffon made their nest in the upper main part of cliff where as Egyptian Vulture and Lammergeier made their nest in lower edge part of cliff. There is no observation of attacks among different species of vulture on their nests and roosting place also besides within their own species. Very few record of Egyptian Vulture chasing Himalayan Griffon and Lammergeier on flight and Egyptian Vulture soaring with Himalayan Griffon flocks above the cliff. Sometime Lammergeier was roosting nearby (about 10m distance) of the Himalayan Griffon nests. Other cliff nesting raptors bonelli’s eagle, common buzzard, peregrine falcon and common kestrel sometime chasing to vultures in that nesting site. Only two times record of adult Himalayan Griffon sitting on the top of White- rumped Vulture nesting tree seems closely watch on nest when there was chick may be for remains of feed on nest. The nest number of Himalayan Griffon is increased by 39.28% from 2010 to 2014 where as the nest number of Egyptian Vulture and Lammergeier is decreased by 100% and 50% from 2010 to 2014 respectively in Gherabhir, Arghakhanchi. However the nest number of Egyptian Vulture is increased by 133.33% exploring the other nesting site in Arghakhanchi district. The actual cause of increase in the nest number of Himalayan Griffon consequence with the decrease nest number of Egyptian Vulture and Lammergeier in same breeding cliff is not known clearly. Community Awareness, Advocacy and Government engaging NSAIDs survey and Diclofenac Free Zone declaration In the collaboration with Government Authority; District Livestock Services Office (DLSO) Arghakhanchi and Nepal Para-veterinary and Livestock Association, Arghakhanchi monitored the eight Agro vets in Arghakhanchi and there was no record of Diclofenac alternate of it Meloxicam is available in vet shops. After the survey and advocacy with stakeholder the district was declared as Diclofenac Free Zone (1193 Sq. km) in cattle treatment under the concept to develop provisional Vulture Safe Zone and took ownership by Shambhu Prasad Marasini; Chief District Officer, Arghakhanchi on 1 June 2011. In the programme chief and representative of all Government Stakeholder were participated including Political leaders, social activist, community persons, local conservation bodies and media persons. The regular survey and advocacy with vet practitioners to stop the illicit use of Diclofenac and promoting to use safe alternative drug is continue at the time of field visit. District Level Stakeholder Meeting on Vulture Conservation Agenda One day district level stakeholder meeting was organized in , Arghakhanchi to update on vulture conservation work in district. In the meeting participants from District Development Committee, District Forest Office, District Livestock Service Office and other Government bodies committed to take pro-active steps for vulture conservation in district. Community Awareness In order to raise awareness, familiarize with vulture and involved them in conservation community awareness programme were organized in and around nesting site and district headquarter. Since the time of exploring this district as vulture nesting site to till date there were organized six formal awareness programme at least one awareness programme in each year. About 360 local people and representative of stakeholder were participated in these awareness programmes where highlighted the status and importance of vulture, cause of decline and role of community to conserve them. Members of nesting site community forests presume some agendas like Vulture Conservation, Habitat Plot Management etc to be include in their Community Forest Operation Plan at the time of review for sustainable conservation and management. Local focal person also trained for vulture identification and nest monitoring as simple understandable way to keep the data locally. These awareness programmes were facilitated by project leader Krishna Bhusal and other resource person from local government authorities. People were involved in the celebration of International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) in each year. Under this project printed T-shirt, poster and leaflets which highlighted the vultures’ plights and suggested simple measures that people can perform to conserve vultures. Color poster, double A4 size color brochures were printed with key message and photographs in were distributed widely within and beyond the project sites. School Education Campaign School is knowledge generating house that may impact directly to change the attitude of society via light of education. Thus to familiarize the school children and teachers with vulture conservation issues and its ecological role in nature; School Education Programme had been lunched selecting four secondary and higher secondary school in the vicinity of vulture nesting site of Arghakhanchi. Altogether 320 students and 24 teachers enthusiastically participated in these events and the posters and fliers with key message of vulture conservation were distributed among them. To the higher class students we also practices for vulture identification, nest monitoring and keeping record in carcass feeding that may help to maintain the vulture data locally as possible.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS  This is first extensive research and documentation of vultures breeding status in the district for five years since the time of exploration. The study of three species of cliff nesting vulture’s association in a single cliff habitat which is first of its kind study in Nepal. In Nepal the colonies of White-rumped vulture were recorded below 1000m in Terai region but in the project site the colony lies above 1000m up to 1400m in mid hill.  The project district Arghakhanchi was declared as Diclofenac Free Zones through the initiation and support of the project by the local government, veterinary community, political parties, conservation organisations and community forest user groups. Arghakhanchi make up a part of 1,193 km2 Vulture Safe Zone in Nepal.  The advocacy with stakeholder and community awareness supported by this project trigger up the community initiative to save the critically endangered vulture species feeling ownership. Community forest user groups plan to include vulture conservation activities in their forest guidelines aiming to sustain conservation programme practically as well as legally. Through this project a massive sensitisation work was carried out in schools, communities, among veterinary groups and widely through mass media. Key activities of the project were done in coordination with government line agencies and local conservation groups which have helped widen the implication of the project. There is handover of knowledge and skills to the community so that they can continue carrying out activities like nest monitoring, monitoring of vulture population and NSAIDs survey.

KEY RECOMMENDATION

 Nest monitoring and population status of vultures in Arghakhanchi district and surrounding area needs to be continued for analyzing the vulture population and nesting trend.  This area is habitat of globally threatened birds like vultures and cheer pheasant so need to be study as potential Important Bird Area (IBA) and detail bird survey.  Detail study and threats analyze for vulture and continuous community engagement in conservation should be developed.

REFERENCES Acharya R, Cuthbert R, Baral HS, Shah KB (2009) Rapid population declines of Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis in Upper Mustang, Nepal. Bird Conservation International, 19: 99-107. Baral, H.S., Giri, J.B. and Virani, M.Z. (2004). On the decline of Oriental White-backed Vultures Gyps bengalensis in lowland Nepal. In: Chancellor, R.D. & Meyburg, B-U. (Eds). Raptors Worldwide. WWGBP/MME pp215-219. BCN and DNPWC, 2011. The state of nepal’s birds 2010. Bird Conservation Nepal and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu. Bhusal, K. P. (2010) Population status and breeding success of Himalayan Griffon, Egyptian Vulture and Lammergeier in Gherabhir, Arghakhanchi, Nepal. M.Sc thesis. Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. Unpublished. Chaudhary, A., Subedi, T., Giri, J.B., Baral, H.S., Bidari, B., Subedi, H.,Chaudhary, B., Chaudhary, I., Paudel, K. and Cuthbert R. (2011). Population trend of critically endangered Gyps vulture in the lowlands of Nepal. Bird Conservation International (doi:10.1017/S0959270911000426) Cuthbert, R.J., Green, R.E., Ranade, S., Saravanan. S., Pain, D.J., Prakash, V., Cunningham, A. (2006). Rapid population declines of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Red- headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in India. Animal Conservation, 9: 349-354. Das, D., Cuthbert, R., Jakati, R.D. &Prakash, V. (2010). Diclofenac is toxic to the Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis. Bird Conservation International, 21: 72-75. Del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A. and Sargatal, J. (eds) 1994. Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol 2. New World Vultures to Guineafowl. Lynx Edictions, Barcelona. DNPWC/MoFSC.GoN 2009. Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2009-2013). Kathmandu. Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. (2000). A Guide to the Birds of Nepal. Second edition, Christopher Helm, London, UK. IUCN (2007). http://www.iucn.org Mundy, P., Butchart, D., Ledger, J. and Piper, S. (1992). The Vultures of Africa. Academic Press, London. Oaks, J. L., M. Gilbert, M. Z. Virani, R. T. Watson, C. U. Meteyer, B. Rideout, H. L. Shivaprasad, S. Ahmed, M. J. I. Chaudhry, M. Arshad, S. Mahmood, A. Ali, and A. A. Khan. (2004). Diclofenac residues as the cause of vulture population decline in Pakistan. Nature 427:630-633. Postupalsky, S. (1974). Raptor Reproductive Success: Some Problems with Methods, Criteria and Terminology. Raptor Research Report, Management of Raptors, Proceedings of the Conference on Raptor Conversation Techniques, (eds Hamerstrom, F.N., Jr., Harrell, B.E. and Olendorff, R.R.), Fort Collins, 22-24 March, 1973 (part 4), 2, 21-31. Prakash, V. (1999). Status of Vultures in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan with Special Reference to Population Crash in Gyps Species. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 96 (3), 365-378. Prakash, V., Green R. E., Pain D.J., Ranade, S. P, Saravanan S., Prakash, N, Venkitachalam, R., Cuthbert R., Rahmani A. R., Cunningham A. A. (2007) Recent changes in populations of resident Gyps vultures in India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society104: 129-135. Prakash, V., Pain, D.J., Cunningham, A.A., Donald, P.F., Prakash, N., Verma, A., Gargi, R., Sivakumar, S. and Rahmani, A.R. (2003). Catastrophic Collapse of Indian Whitebacked (Gyps bengalensis) and Long-billed (Gyps indicus) Vulture Population.Biological Conservation, 109, 381-390. Swarup, D.J., Cuthbert, R., Green, R.E., Pain, D.J., Prakash, V., Taggart, M.A., Dash, D., Patra, R. C., Saini, N., Avari, P., Sharma, A. K. (2007). Safety of meloxicam to critically endangered Gyps vultures and others scavenging birds in India. Animal Conservation 10(2007): 192-198.

ANNEX

Annex 1. Number of vulture nest monitored in different year in Arghakhanchi, Nepal.

Number of occupied Nests in different year. Species 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 WRV 13 21 15 17 18 EV 3 2 3 5 7 HG 28 32 36 38 39 L 2 1 1 1 1

Annex 2. Breeding status of White-rumped Vulture for five year of monitoring in Arghakhanchi.

White-rumped Occupied Active Productive Breeding Success Breeding success Vulture Nests Nests Nests (Active nest as (Occupied nest as primary unit) primary unit)

2010 - 13 7 53.84% -

2011 21 15 8 53.33% 38.09%

2012 15 13 10 76.92% 66.66%

2013 17 15 11 73.33% 64.70%

2014 18 14 10 71.42% 55.55%

Annex 3. Breeding status of Egyptian Vulture for five year monitoring in Arghakhanchi, Nepal.

Egyptian Occupied Active Productive Breeding Success Breeding success Vulture Nests Nests Nests (Active nest as (Occupied nest as primary unit) primary unit)

2010 3 2 1 50.00% 33.33%

2011 2 2 1 50.00% 50.00%

2012 3 2 2 100% 66.66%

2013 5 4 3 75% 60%

2014 7 5 4 80% 57.14% Annex 4. Breeding status of Himalayn Griffon for five year of monitoring in Arghakhanchi, Nepal.

Himalayan Occupied Active Productive Breeding Success Breeding success Griffon Nests Nests Nests (Active nest as (Occupied nest as primary unit) primary unit)

2010 28 20 13 65.00% 46.43%

2011 32 24 17 70.83% 53.12%

2012 36 29 21 72.41% 58.33%

2013 38 28 20 71.42% 52.63%

2014 35 30 23 76.66% 65.71%

Annex 5. Breeding status of Lammergeier for five year of monitoring in Ghera cliff, Nepal.

Occupied Active Productive Breeding Success Breeding success Nests Nests Nests (Active nest as (Occupied nest as Lammergeier primary unit) primary unit)

2010 2 1 1 100.00% 50.00%

2011 1 1 1 100.00% 100.00%

2012 1 1 1 100.00% 100.00%

2013 1 1 0 0% 0%

2014 1 0 0 0% 0%

Annex 6. Location of vulture nests monitoring in Gherabhir, Arghakhanchi for the breeding season 2010.

Observat Nest ion Plot no S N Location Latitude Longitude Altitude Species

1. Gherabhir A 7 N:28°03'48.9' E:83°05'25.3'' 1991m HG

2. Gherabhir B 1 N:28°03'49.3'' E:83°05'26.8'' 2089m LM

3. Gherabhir C 3 N:28°03'51.6'' E:83°05'28.1'' 2077m HG

4. Gherabhir D 5 N:28°03'45.0'' E:83°05'20.4'' 1846m HG

5. Gherabhir E 3 N:28°03'43.5'' E:83°05'24.4'' 1885m HG

6. Gherabhir E 1 N:28°03'43.5'' E:83°05'24.4'' 1885m LM

7. Gherabhir F 3 N:28°03'42.1'' E:83°05'33.4'' 1854m HG

8. Gherabhir F 2 N:28°03'42.1'' E:83°05'33.4'' 1854m EV

9. Gherabhir G 4 N:28°03'40.3'' E:83°05'43.6'' 1805m HG

10. Gherabhir H 3 N28°03'37.6'' E:83°05'50.3'' 1767m HG

11. Gherabhir H 1 N28°03'37.6'' E:83°05'50.3'' 1767m EV

Total 8 33 _ _ _ 3 Species

HG = Himalayan Griffon, EV = Egyptian Vulture, LM = Lammergeier

Note:- Same observation plot were used for nest monitoring in respective year 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Annex 7. Detail of White-rumped Vulture nests monitored in breeding season 2012-13 Arghakhanchi, Nepal. Nest District Area GPS Location Elevation Vulture Nesting Tree

No. (Community Latitude Longitude (m) Species Forest) 1 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01240° 083.12041° 1122 2 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01278° 083.12131° 1161 3 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01293° 083.12162° 1152 4 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01380° 083.12231° 1131 5 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01365° 083.12245° 1120 6 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01369° 083.12254° 1117 7 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01390° 083.12275° 1115 8 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01450° 083.12272° 1128 9 Arghakhanchi Garta Khahare WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01917° 083.11929° 1228 10 Arghakhanchi Khahare Khola WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01825° 083.11740° 1199 11 Arghakhanchi Khahare Khola WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01843° 083.11717° 1257 12 Arghakhanchi Khahare Khola WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01738° 083.11676° 1294 13 Arghakhanchi Khahare Khola WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01747° 083.11567° 1290 14 Arghakhanchi Khahare Khola WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.01968° 083.11572° 1355 15 Arghakhanchi Garlam WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.02654° 083.10318° 1420 16 Arghakhanchi Garlam WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.02727° 083.10316° 1394 17 Arghakhanchi Garlam WRV Pinus rouxburghii 28.02636° 083.10416° 1405 Note:-In the three Pinus forest of Arghakhanchi monitored 17 nests of White-rumped Vulture of which 11 nests became success (64.70%). All nests are in the trunk of Pinus tree with estimated average nest height 23.52m and average tree height 26.41m.

PHOTO PLATE

White-rumped Vulture in Nest Egyptian Vulture in Nest

Himalayan Griffons in their Nests Lammergeier nearby in its nest

Diclofenac Free Zone declaration programme Community Awareness in nesting site

Field site visit and community meeting with RSPB/BCN team Nest Observation

Awareness Poster T-shirt

Leaflet (Outer Part) Leaflet (Inner Part)

The End